Continuous strip camera magazine



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V CONTINUOUS STRIP CAMERA MAGAZINE Filed Dec. 3, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6. menti/Hf /and/ BY 49 Jj/U). J s

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1NVEI\ITOR. m/f/u't an S w. Mmes yewQ ATTORNEY Juy 19, 1949. G. E. MERRITT El' AL CONTINUOUS STRIP CAMERA MAGAZINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Deo. 5, 1943 ATToRz'vEY July 19, 1949.

G. E. MERRITT El' AL CONTINUOUS STRIP CAMERA MAGAZINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 3, 1945 INVENTOR.

gear me/#Maud BY J s ATTORNEY `Iuly 19, 1949. G. E. MERRrrT Er AL 2,476,677

coNTINUoUs STRIP cAMERA MAGAZINE Filed Deo. 3, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 6v INVENTOR. george melf/t/and Y //u/f/LU. J

ATTORNEY July 19, 1949. G. E. MERRITT r-:r AL 2,476,677

CQNTINUOUS STRIP CAMERA MAGAZINE Filed Deo. 3, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 l INVENTOR. geo/:ye 2S. V#Tw/#mw an@ BY @uff/LU. d s

' ATTORNEY July 19, 1949. G. E. MERRrr-r Er AL 2,476,577

v CONTINUOUS STRIP CAMERA MAGAZINE Filed DBC. 3, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 1NVENTOR. /georye E. melf/www0 BY Lw/;

ATTORNEY Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFCE oo'NTI'UoUs STWRA MAGAziNE George E. Merritt and N. Yi, assgnors 4to Ben South Bend, Ind., a c

Burr W. Jones, Elmira, vdix AviationCorporation, orporatin f Dela'we Application December 3, 1943, serial No. 51am (ci. sis-12.5)

A 6 Claims. l

The present invention relates to a continuous strip film camera for aerial reconnaissance and more particularly to novel form of magazine therefor having reeling and expositie` mechanism Afor the sensitized illn.

The present ainlic'atio'n is a continuation in part of applicants prior Patent 2,397,031, issued March 19, 1946, to which reference is fnade for a more `complete description kof the entire cainer and its Inode of operation..

As stated in 'said parent application, in strip oamer'as as used` for 'aerial recon'aissance,v it is clistoinary to move a bandof sensitized' nlm across lthe focal 'plane of the camera in con soiance with the movement of the image of the neld of view caused by the transportation of th camera across the terrain. to be recinotered'. The exposure of the nlm is controlled by means of a diaphragm adjacent the focal plane oi* the camera having a slot normal to the movement of the film, which slot is adjustable in width to vary the time of exposure .of th'e hlm for different lighting conditions and' film speeds'.

It is an object of the pres-ent invention to pro'- vide a novel film magazine and reelingv ine'cha nism for a continuous strip camera which is vsimple in construction, eilioient and reliable in operation and convenient to load and operate.

it is another object toprovid si'h a device in which the width of the eX-pos'di'e slot is alito-- matically varied in dire'ctlproporton to the iili speed, While maintaining. the slot substantially KsyrnrI-leil'cai With respect tb th optical Xi's Uf l the camera.

It is another object to provide such 'a device in which the ratio-of slt Width to l speed' may' be varied in accordance with prevailing light conditions.

It is another object to provide suh a device in which the running parts are so mounted on the base oi the magazin'ethat the light-tight cover can be removed without interfering with the operation of the mechanism.

It is a further object to provide such a device in which the fil'm is accurately positioned and prevented from bckllng'by being held on 'a otat'ng diur'n during exposure thereof, the drinn being of suffi-cient 'diameter so that the portion of 'the nlm opposite' the slctdoes 'not curve away vfrom the focaly plane of the camera tany sighicant eitent, and bihg positioned With its 'sur-face tangent to the -focal plane of the camera at the optical axis thereof.

It is another object tlroviie 'such a device in which the lmis supported at allpints on 'rolling toy .2 elements of comparatively large diameter so that its movement is at-'ali times smooth and steady. Moreover, the ilmY is not subjected to sliding -f-ri'ctio'n which inight cause scratching; and. it is protected from shai'b'bends which might cause lcraclizs at the low temperatures encountered in use at high altitudes;

It is another object to provide such a device incorporating novelmeans for reeling up the exposed nlm so' as to maintain proper tension in the nlm.

It is another object to provide such a device in which the film is actuated by a motor driven drum on which it is' earriedduring exposure. p

It is another objectA to provide such a device in which the speed of the lni-carrying drum can be varied continuouslyA over a range suiliclent to cover allV conditions of use of the camera.

It is another object to provide such a device in which the rotating mechanism for the drum is arranged to providev a balancedv drive which is contained Within the izonnes of the drum itself.

It is a furtherobject` to provide such a device in which, when the drinn isremoved, the driving mechanism therefor may be operated for observation andl adjustment. j y y It is a further objectv to provide such a device including novel guiding elements for holding the lm in contact with the drum during the exposure cf the nim.

It is a further object to provide such a device including a novel meter for indicating the length of the nlm remaining on the supply spool; y

It is a further' object to provide such a device including provisions for impressing on the film, at regular intervals, a record of the times When the exposures thereof were made.

Further objects and. advantages rwill be apparent from the following, description taken in con*- nection with the accompanying drawing, in which: Y

Fig, 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of the invention partly iny section and partly broken away for th'eske of clarity; the section being substantia-llyony the' line 1"-"4 of Fig.l 2;

Fig. 2 is 'a vertical section takenfsubstantially on the line 2-:2 of Fis.. 1;

Fig. 3 is 'a vertical setion taken substantially on the line 343 of` Fig: 2:

Fig. 4 is a nersiiectiveview of the base plate for the magazine; tivo of thesupporting brackets for the reeling rnelhaism andthe light-tight covei-A therefor shown irdisosseinbled relation;

Fig. 5 is 'a vertial'seetion': taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1, some of the parts being broken away to show interior structure;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the adjustable drive gearing for the nlm carrying drum;

Fig. 7 is a detail of the time recording mechanism, partly in section substantially along the line 1--1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is asectional detail taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. '1;

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the relation of the exposure drum to the focal plane and optical axis of the camera, and

Fig. l1 is a sectional detail of a portion of the drum and shutter mechanism showing the relationship of the shutter mechanism to the optical axis of the camera.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a film magazine for a continuous strip camera comprising a base I having a rectangular opening 2 through which the image of the terrain to be photographed is projected by the optical system of the camera as illustrated and described in applicants prior application referred to. Bigidly mounted on the vbase I as indicated at 3 vand 4 are two pairs of mounting brackets or frame members 5, 5 (Fig. 1) and 1, 8 (Fig. 3), the brackets `5 and 6 being shown in detail in Fig. '4'. Brackets 5 and 1 are preferably connected' at their free ends by a tie-rod 9 as shown in Fig. 2. A nlm supply spool I and a take-up' spool I2 are journalled on brackets S and 8 for rotationv on horizontal axes, and an exposure drum 'IIr is journalled on brackets and 1 for rotation on a parallel axis. -As shown diagrammaticallyl in Figs. and 11, drum II is so mounted as to be tangent t0 the focal plane of the camera, with'the optical axis substantially bisecting the line of tangency.

Means for guiding a photo-sensitive film from the supply spool onto the exposure drum and for causing it to lieflat on the drum is provided comprising a guide roll I3 mounted on a shaft 131 journalled in bearings I4 and 141 slidably mounted inthe brackets 5 and 1 and provided with springs I5 and I51 urging the bearings in a direction to press the guide roller against the surface of the drum I I. Means for retracting the guide roller I3 to facilitate threading the film on the drum is provided in the form of a crank I6 arranged to operate a pair of cams i1 and I11 which engage the bearings I4 and I41 to retract the guide roller 'when the crank is manually operated. A second guide roller I8 is journalled on the brackets 6 and 8 in'position to engage the nlm after it leaves the drum I I and guide it onto the take-up spool I2.

The drum I I is hollow and is provided with a web I9 which is rotatably journalled on a tapered cylindrical bearing member ZI by means vof a suitable anti-friction bearing 22. `The bearing member 2| is rigidly fastened to the bracket 1 by suitable means'suchas indicated at 23.

' According to the present invention means are provided for rotating the 'drum II which means is contained within the connes of the drum, and comprises continuously variable reduction gearing. For this purpose a motor 24 is rigidly mounted as indicated at 25 on a cylindrical extension 2B on the bracket 5, and is provided with an extended armature shaft 21 on which is suitably keyed a worm 28. The worm 28 is arranged to mesh with and drive a worm wheel 29 journalled on the extension 26 of bracket 5 and having fixed thereto a worm-3I which meshes in turn with a second worm wheel 32 splined as shown at 33 on a drive shaft 34 which is journalled as indicated at 35 in the interior of the cylindrical bracket extension 26. The drive shaft 34 has suitably xed thereon a friction driving disc 36 having a plane surface spaced from and parallel with a similar plane surface 31 on the web I9 of drum II.

A variable speed transmission is provided between the driving disc 36 and the web I9 of the drum comprising two pairs of friction wheels 38, 3S and 4I, 42. Friction wheel 38 is arranged to bear on the driving disc 36 and is fixed on a `shaft 43 on the other end of which is xed the friction wheel 39 in position to bear on the surface 31 of the web I9. Shaft 43 is journalled as indicated at 44 and 45 in a block 46 which block is mounted in a guide-way 41 (Fig. 6) in a frame i 48 having a cylindrical extension 49 splined as indicated at 5I' (Fig. 2) on the bearing member 2I. Similarly, the friction wheels 4I and 42 are rigidly mounted on the opposite ends of a shaft 52 journalled in a block 53 in such manner as to frictionally engage the driving disc 35 and the web I9 respectively and movable radially by the sliding movement of block 53 in its guide 54 (Fig. 6).

Adjustable means for yieldably maintaining frictional engagement of the driving disc 36 with the frictional wheels 39 and 4I is provided in the `form of a thrust ball bearing 55 mounted in a recess 56 in the end of the drive shaft 34 and arranged to bear against a thrust block 51 slidably mounted in a cup member 58 adjustably threaded in the bracket 5 and having a spring 59 urging the block 51 against the bearing member 55. The adjustment of the cup 58 is mainmained by any suitable means such as indicated at 6I.

Means for similarly maintaining frictional engagement between the friction wheels 39 and 42 and the web i9 of the drum is provided comprising a pull rod 62 fixed centrally as shown at 63 in the cylindrical extension 49 of frame 48 and extending through a thrust plate B4 clamped between the bearing member 2| and the bracket 1. A cup shaped nut 65 is threaded on the end of the pull rod 62 and a spring 63 is located between the nut 65 and the thrust plate B4 for yieldably maintaining tension on the pull rod 52. The adjustment of the spring 65 as determined by rotation of the nut 65 is maintained by any suitable lock means such as shown for instance at 61 in Fig. 3.

Means are provided for simultaneously sliding the blocks 46 and 53 in opposite directions in the frame 48 in order to vary the gear ratio between the driving disc 36 and the drum. As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, this is accomplished by providing lugs 56 and 59 on the blocks 49 and 53 respectively, said lugs having aligned openings therein which are oppositely threaded in order to cooperate with oppositely threaded parts 1! and 'i2 of a radially arranged shaft 13 which traverses said lugs and is journalled as Shown at 14 in a bearing bracket 15 fixed on the end of a tube 15 rigidly mounted at 11 in the bracket ii. The oppositely threaded shaft 13 has a bevel gear 1B fixed thereon within the bracket 15 in position to mesh with a corresponding bevel gear 19 xed on a shaft 3l journalled in the bracket 15 and tube 15 and arranged to be manually rotated in order to adjust the gearing.

As was explained in full in the parent application above referred to, the speed of the drum acme?? gli is :so'adjusted by the operator as to cause the iilm mounted on the drum to move at such 'a speed ias ito maintain it substantially vstationary w-ith respect to the image ofthe terrain proected thereon by the camera. This is vaccomplished by lthe useoi Asome lform of sighting mechanism such yas tdisclosed the parent application which sight- :ing `mechanism forms no part fof the present invention.

vAccording to the present invention, -ineans 4are provided for foon-trolling the beam of light entering through the `opening 2 in the base so as 'to permita band of 'light of greater or less width to strike the nlm on 'the drum and thereby secure properly timed Yexposure of the vfilm to the light image. As shown more particularly in Figs. .l 'and 2, this exposure controlling mechanism comprises a pair of arcuate shutter members S2, and 83 on shafts "84 and 85, respectively, journalled their vends on the base l., and having int rm'eshing gear segments 8'5 fand 81 iixed thereon which compel the shutter members :to move equally in opposite directions. The outer surfaces of the shutter members are contiguous 'tothe sur-face of the drum Il and the mounting 'shafts B4 and85 therefor are parallel to the axis of the drum whereby when the Ashutters are swung about the axes foi said shafts the-space between fthe shutters forms a 'Slot of varying width which permits a band of light entering the opening 2 in vthe base to extend across the iilm fon the 'dr-um `normal to the motion of the iilm. The shutters are preferably so arranged that their adacent 'edges are alWays-equidistant from the'optic'al axis vof the camera, and so that the exposure slot dened thereby is maintainedsubstantially sym inetrical with respect to the line oi tangency of the drum with the focal plane of the camera. In `order to prevent extraneous light from reaching the film, the opening 2 is surrounded by a light guard 88 iixed to the base I and to the brackets 5 and l. lThe top of the shutter chamber formed by a cylindrical diaphragm confi forming closely to the drum il, and havingan opening di aligned with the opening '2. 'The edges of opening 9| conform closely with the exterior surfaces of shutter members 82 and S8 so that when the shutters are lin engagement with other as shown in Fig. l, the opening 9| is .effectively closed to the passage of light.

Means are provided for moving the shutter members 522, 83 to automatically adjust the width of the opening or slot therebetween in accord ance with variations in rotary speed of th-e drum "l i. 'prises a worm 92 fixed on the manuallyoperable :shaft 8i and meshing with a worm wheel 03 fixed on a shaft 94 journallcd in a bearing rnembe-:i` SE which is iixed as indicated at 95 to the bracket rmember 5. Shaft 94 has fixed thereon a worm 'Sl which meshes with a worm wheel 9B which rotatably mounted on the bracket member 5 as yby means of a stud S9. A crank member li!! is fixed to the worm wheel 98 as shown at |92 and 'has formed therein a guide-way |03 in which' yis sldably mounted a block l-i carrying a crank pin Mid. A link |06 connects the crank pin |05 'with a crank |0| fixed on an extension |08 of the shutter shaft 85 whereby rotation ofthe worm wheel Sli is caused to rotate shutters 82, 83. Preferably, crank lill is made in two parts |03 and 'connected by a spring ||2 permitting the crank to'yield in case the gearing should be operated beyond the closed position of the shutter mem# ber's. It will be understood that the dimensions As shown in Figs. l and 2, this-means conrandra-tios of the parts are :so calculated that ad'- .justment of the friction .gearing by the shaft '8.4 -will yeffectadiustinent of the shutter members in the same ratio. 'That is, if 'the 'speed fof the ydrum is increased by ten percent, the width of the Aslot between the lshutter members is increased by the same percentage.

Means are also provided for varying the ratio between the width of the slot between the shutter members 82, 83 and the speed vof the drum. Thus, in one light condition a 'slot width of 0:05 ci an inch might provide a correctly 'timed 'exfposure when the ldrum is rotating vat a suria'fe 'speed o'f 2.5 inches per second. If the light 're'- L'ected from the terrain to be photographed 'should increase, either by a change in the chapacter of the terrain or by an increase in illumina- 4tion thereof, it is necessary to correspondingly reduce the width ofthe slot in order 'to provide correct 'exposure of 'the nlm. This is accomv` pushed as here illustrated by an adjustment "et the 'crank pin block ltd in its guide |03 to d'ecrease the throw of the crank. For this purpose, a shaft 'H3 is pivoted to 'the block mi! as shown at lill and is threaded within .a bevel gear 115 journall'ed 'on the crank 'member |61. A cooperating bevel gear :It is xed on a stub shaft iii also journall'ed on the crank member lill and connected by a flexible shaft |18 to a knob H9 rotatably mounted on the top of the bracket 5 and vprovided with a dial 12| having suitable grad-'- nations for indicating the adjustment o'f the crank block |04.

Means for indicatingth'e linear speed of the film on the drum is provided comprising a pinion |22 mounted on the 'gear adjusting shaft 8l which pinion meshes with a gear |23 journalled on the bracket 5 and having a pinion |24 meshing with a gear |25 also journalled on the bracket 5 and connected to rotate a dial wheel |26.

Means are provided Afor rotating the take-up 'spool l2 at such a speed as to maintain the linear speed of the lm being wound thereon equal to the linear speed of the film on the drum so as to prevent the formation of slack on the lm as it leaves the drum, as shown in Figs. l and 3. For this purpose, a splne'd shaft |21 is jeurnalled at one end in a socket member |28 xed to the bearing bracket 'I and retained in said socket member as by means of a stud |29 seated in a groove |3| of said shaft. The other end of the shaft |21 is journalled by means of a bearing |32 in a lateral projection |321 on the bearing bracket 8. A friction wheel |34 is fixed on the splined shaft |27 in position to bear on the end of the drum at the same radius as the cylindrical surface which carries the lm. The peripheral speed of the wheel |34 as it is rotated by the drum is thus equal to the linear speed of the film on the drum.

A second friction wheel |35 is slidably but nonrotatably mounted on the splined shaft |21 in position to engage a disc |30 (Fig. 5) formed on or connected to the end of the take-up spool l2 in any suitable manner. Preferably the disc is separate from the spool and is fixed as by Welding on a bearing pin or gudgeon which serves as a bearing for one end of the spool. This gudgeoh is rotatably mounted in the bracket 8, an adjustable yielding thrust bearing being provided as shown at |501 to maintain proper engagement betweenv the disc and friction wheel |35. In order totran'smit rotation from the disc |30 to the takeup spool, a pair of key members |301 are Welded to said disc and to the gudgeon |50, and extend `into suitable openings in the hub 'of the spool.

'ber |40 which is slidably mounted on a guide rail |38 anchored at |39 to the bracket 1 and at |4| to the bracket 8. The rail |38 is parallel to the splined shaft |21 and acts as a tie-rod to assist in keeping the brackets 1 and 8 rigidly spaced.

rThe bifurcated member |40 is provided with a non-circular opening |42 in which are mounted rollers |43 which bear on the iiat surfaces of the rail |38 thus facilitating the sliding movement of the member |40 on the rail, while preventing rotation of the member with respect to the rail. A spring |44 is mounted on the rail |38 between the bracket 1 and the member |40 urging the member in a direction to move the wheel |35 toward the axis of the take-up spool I2.

The bifurcated member |40 is arranged to straddle the end flange of the take-up spool I2, the inner arm |45 of said member having a roller |46 rotatably mounted in the end thereof in position to bear on the surface of the lm wound on the take-up spool. As shown best in Fig. 1, the point of engagement of the roller |46 with the surface of the lm is arranged to be at the same radius from the axis of the spool l2 as the point of engagement of friction wheel |35 with the end of said spool. As the film builds up on the spool l2, it will cause the bifurcated member |40 to move back against the action of spring 38 thereby maintaining the engagement of the friction wheel |35 with the end of the spool at the same radius as the surface of the lm on said spool. Friction wheels |34 and |35 are of the same diameter, so that the above arrangement secures the stated object of maintaining the linear speed of the lm wound on the take-up spool equal to the linear speed of the lm on the drum I Means are preferably provided for showing the amount of film remaining on the supply spool I0. For this purpose, an arm |41 is fixed on a shaft |48 journalled on the bracket 6 in position to cause said arm to bear on the surface of the iilm on the supply spool. A crank |49 is xed on the outer end of shaft |48 and means are provided in the form of a spring |60 anchored at one end on the bracket 6 and acting on the free end of the crank to hold the arm |41 in engagement with the surface of the film on the spool I0. A link is f pivoted at one end to crank |49 and at its other end is formed as a rack |52 slidably mounted in a guiding and supporting member |53. Guide |53 is journalled on a shaft |54 which is rotatably mounted in the upper end of the bracket 6 and carries a pinion |55 arranged to mesh with the rack |52. Pinion |56 is arranged to rotate a dial wheel I 66 which is calibrated to indicate film footage remaining on the supply spool.

The film magazine is provided with a light-tight enclosure in the form of a cover |51 having a light and dust tight joint |58 with the base A circular section |59 of the casing having a slightly larger diameter than the dial |2| of knob ||9 is vcut out and attached to the top of the bearing bracket 5 by suitable means such as indicated at IBI, a light and dust tight joint |62 being provided between this section |59 and the body of the cover |51. This arrangement permits removal and re- 8 placement of the cover without disturbing the knob I9.

The bearing brackets 5, 6 are provided on their edges with iianges |63, |64, |65 and |66 (Fig. 4) arranged to cooperate with baiiie members |61, |68 mounted in the interior of the cover |51 to form a light-tight partition when the cover is seated on the base of the magazine. The top of the cover |51 has a pair of peep holes |69, |1| located above the lm speed indicating dial wheel |26 and the footage meter dial wheel |56, respectively, and preferably provided with hairlines for use in conjunction with such dials. It will be understood that the light-tight partitionV nalled in the base I and are provided with slabbedoff sections |16 adapted to be moved into and out of the notches |13 by rotation of said shafts. Arms |11 are xed on the ends of shafts |15 for manual rotation thereof into and out of locking position.

The film supply spool |0 is journalled on spring pressed gudgeons |18 and |19, the latter being provided with a hand wheel ISI by which it may be withdrawn in order to release the spool. Similarly, the take-up spool I2 is provided with a spring pressed gudgeon |82 aligned with the gudgeon which may be withdrawn by a hand wheel |83 to release the spool.

A friction brake for preventing overrunning of the supply spool |0 is preferably provided being here shown in the form of a disc |84 non-rotatably mounted on a tubular stud |85 threaded in the bracket 8 and acting as a holder for the spring pressed gudgeon |18. The brake |84 is urged into frictional engagement with the end of the supply spool by suitable means such as springs |86.

When photographic reconnaissance is carried on for military purposes, it is frequently important to know the precise time when the fllm is exposed. For this purpose, applicants have provided a means for photographically impressing a time record on the margin of the nlm at suitable intervals. In Fig. '1, there is shown a clock |81 of any suitable type having a dial |88 illuminated by a light source |89. An optical system for projecting an image of the dial on the margin of the film is provided comprising a mirror I9I, a lens |92 and a rotatable mirror |93, said optical system being enclosed in a suitable light-tight tubular conduit |94 attached to the shutter chamber 88 and diaphragm 89. Said diaphragm has an opening |95 permitting the image of the clock to be projected on to the surface of the drum The mirror member |93 is journalled in the bearing bracket 5 and is provided with a pulley |96 which is connected by a belt |91 to a pulley |98 mounted on the projecting end of the shaft |31 which carries the tension roller I3. The ratio between the pulleys |96 and |98 is so arranged that the mirror |93 rotates at a speed which causes the image ofthe clock dial as it is thrown Lock shafts |15 are jourgnam 9 'onthe drum to moveatV substantially the same speed as the-surface of the drum. The reading of the clock dial is thereby impressed photographically on theim'arg-inof the film in substantial synchronisml with the exposure of the lm.

The clock unit |81 is preferably mounted on a cut-out portion ofthe base l with a light-tight Joint 26.0, suitable detachable fastening means 20| being provided so that the unit. may be conf-.- Veniently removed for inspection, winding or setting. The timingsystenr is preferably enclosed in a. light-tight casing 2&2; one of the walls of which is preferably constitutedv by the wall' 88 and. diaphragm 8.9, of. theshutter chamber.

A hand. wheel 203. for operating the film speed adjustingshaft 8|. isjournalledin: the cover |51 on a stub shaft. 20.4. whichhas a tongue and groove connection 2115. with said shaft. It will be understood that if. deemed desirable the stub shaft 2.94: may be mount-edi on a cut-out section of the. cover attached. to the bracket 5 so as to permit removal of the cover Without disconnecting the hand wheel 203.

When it is. desired to load the camera, the hand wheel 293 isrotated until the groove in the stub shaft. 2.84 is. vertical, which may be indicated by a. suitable. mark` on the hand wheel. The cranks L11. of. thefastening devices are then rotated to remove the slabbed-orf sections of the locking bolts. |15. from, the notches |13 in studs |12.. The cover is. theny removed, the crank I6 is actuated toretract the tension roller |3 from the drum il, and the hand wheel |83 retracted so as to release the take-up spool carrying the exposed nlm. The empty supply spool is then released by retraction of hand wheel IBI, a new supply spool with fresh film is mounted in its place and the empty spool is reinstalled as the take-up spool. It will be understood that when the new supply spool is inserted, the surface of the film thereon engages the arm |41 which rotates the footage meter |56 into full position.

The end of the film is then passed over the tension roller I3 and between the diaphragm 89 and drum I, around the drum, under the guide roller |8 and attached in any suitable manner to the hub of the take-up spool I2. The cover |51 is then replaced and locked down by the holding clamps |11, etc.

In operation, the knob ||9 is set to a position corresponding to the prevailing light conditions as indicated by a light meter, the motor 24 is started and the hand wheel 2 U3 is rotated to synchronize the lm speed with the speed of the image of the terrain to be photographed. This r may be done by a sighting device or may be accomplished by setting the hand wheel at a predetermined position in accordance with a table which shows nlm speeds corresponding to various ground speeds and altitudes as disclosed in detail in the parent application.

Although but one form of invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that variations in the specific embodiments of the various features may be substituted, and that the arrangement of the elements may be changed, and certain of the elements may be omitted where their functions are deemed unnecessary without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. In a continuous strip camera for aerial reconnaissance, a film holder including a rotatable exposure drum arranged substantially tangent to the focal plane of the camera, light obstructing means providing a slot. of adjustable width arranged in front of the drum adjacent its line of tangency with the focal plane, a motor, variable speed gearing for rotatingthe drum from said motor, manually: operable means for varying the ratio of said. gearing, mechanical means for so connecting: said gearratio varying means to the slot varying means that adjustment o the gear ratio. varying means .actuates the slot varying means to. maintain a predetermined direct ratio between the width of: the slot and the peripheral speed of the drum; and manually operable means for changing said ratio. without interrupting the rotation. of the drum.

2;. in. continuous strip film camera for aerial reconnaissance, light-tight magazine having a, nlm-carrying'rotatable drum with its periphery tangent to the focal plane of the camera, movable masking means providing a light-admitting slot parallel' to the axis of the drum adjacent to its line of tangency with the focal plane, means including. variable speed. gearing for rotating the drum to move the nlm thereon in consonance with the. movement ofthe image of the eld of View caused by the transportation of the camera, manually operable means for adjusting the variable speed` gearing including a rotatable member, means including a crank member actuated by said rotatable means to move said masking means to vary the width of the light-admitting slot, and manually operable. means Vto vary the throw of said crank.

3. n a strip camera for aerial reconnaissance, a film holder including a rotatable exposure drum arranged substantially tangent to the focal plane of the camera, light-obstructing means providing a slot of adjustable width arranged in front of the drum adjacent the line of tangency with the focal plane, said light-obstructing means comprising a pair of pivotal masking members having adjacent straight edges forming the edges of the slot, means for varying the speed of rotation of the drum, means for swinging said masking members in opposite directions, a mechanical connection between the drum speed varying means and the means for swinging the masking members so arranged that a change in drum speed causes a directly proportional change in the width of the slot between the masking members; said swinging means including a crank member, and manually operable means for varying the throw of said crank member to thereby vary the ratio between drum speed and slot width.

4. In a continuous strip camera for aerial reconnaissance, a light-tight magazine including a base, a removable cover mounted thereon, a film supply spool, an exposure drum, and a spool for receiving the lm after exposure, said spools and drum being rotatably mounted on parallel axes on the base of the magazine independent of said cover; means independent of said cover for guiding the nlm from the supply spool around the drum to the receiving spool, means for rotating the drum including variable speed gearing housed within the drum, variable speed gearing for rotating the nlm-receiving spool from the drum, means for continually changing the ratio of the latter gearing to maintain the linear speed of the nlm on the receiving spool equal to the linear speed of the nlm on the drum, and means for mounting the drum on the base of the magazine independent of the cover and of said gearing whereby the 11 cover may be taken off and the spools and drum removed without dismantling the gearing.

5. In a strip film camera, a light-tight magazine including a base having an adjustable lightadmitting slot and a cover detachably iixed to the base, a lm-carrying drum journalled on the base of the magazine on an axis parallel to the slot, a motor, and variable speed gearing housed Within the drum for rotating the drum, and means including a manually operable member projecting through said cover with a detachable light-tight bearing, for simultaneously and proportionately adjusting the ratio of the gearing and the width of the slot.

6. In a continuous strip lm camera, a lm magazine including a base member, a detachable cover in the form of a box with one side open for attachment to the base, a lm supply spool, a take-up spool, an exposure drum, and brackets for mounting the spools, drum and rotating means rigidly on said base within the. cover but independently of the cover, a variable speed drive for the exposure drum, adjustable masking mechanism for controlling the exposure of the lm on the drum, unitary means including a manually operable element extending outside the magazine for effecting simultaneous and proportionate adjustment of the drive and masking mechanism, and means within the cover, visible from the exterior thereof, for indicating the adjustment of the drive and of the masking mechanism, said cover and brackets having cooperatl2 ing bales forming a light-tight film chamber Within the cover partitioned o from said indieating means.

VGEORGE E. MERRITT.

BURR W. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 621,545 Stark Mar. 21, 1899 706,664 Jackson Aug. 12, 1902 780,382 Reavill Jan. 17, 1905 812,163 Bried Feb. 6, 1906 867,396 Muller et al Oct. 1, 1907 893,819 Stewart July 21, 1908 1,071,346 Reeves Aug. 26, 1913 1,408,249 Beiswenger Feb. 28, 1922 1,414,941 Gill May 2, 1922 1,428,352 Altschuler Sept. 5, 1922 1,448,906 Altschuler et al. Mar. 20, 1923 1,559,400 Bagley et al Oct. 27, 1925 1,723,926 Fairchield Aug. 6, 1929 2,077,486 Lootens Apr. 20, 1937 2,210,090 Lutz et al Aug. 6, 1940 2,292,825 Dilks, Jr. Aug. l1, 1942 2,307,646 Sonne Jan. 5, 1943 2,349,931 Back May 30, 1944 2,397,031 Merritt et al. Mar. 19, 1946 2,401,530 Vought June 4, 1946 

